Work or What?

The population of Scarp, to the west of Harris, peaked at 213 in 1881, but even in the 1940s there were 100 Scarpachs living on this off-shore island. Everyone resided in the fertile south-east corner and the men would gather each morning in a 'parliament' to parley or speak about their work for the day. Similar conferring took place on St Kilda and Handa. Sometimes hours were spent on discussion and little was done. The women did not have these distractions, but continued to be industrious. The population dwindled and by 1971 the Census reported two inhabitants. By the end of that year there was none. The attractions of Hushinish (below) across the water were compelling, although the road beyond has its length and limitations as shown on a YouTube clip.

Scottish Islands Explorer - some partying; little parleying

An Audacious Crossing

On Monday last four men set out from Norway to row the first leg of an unsupported journey to their native Iceland. They are expected to be in Kirkwall by the end of this week, before continuing to the Faroes.

Their boat is called the Audur and is named after the most famous Viking female rower, Audur Djupudga - literally the 'Audacious', who lived from 834 - 900, and whose exploits are worth reading about.

Her life is commemorated by this cross in Iceland, where she finally settled. The rowers intend to team up next year to complete the final stages of their North Atlantic Row - by following in the wake of Erik the Red and reaching Canada via Greenland.

Scottish Islands Explorer - goes places, differently

A Continental Shelf

Markets of a continental style, displaying European goods and produce, have been a feature of English towns and cities - especially those on the eastern side of the country - for some decades. The opening of the Channel Tunnel was a key factor. Now they appear in the far reaches, at least in retail terms, of what could be called, 'the continental shelf'. One opened under Fort Charlotte in Lerwick yesterday. It brings a new dimension to the end of Da Street or Commercial Street, the town's main thoroughfare. Those interested in the history, shops and images of this long-established road should go straight to Shetlopedia where you will not be disappointed. Below is a view of the other end of the street.

Scottish Islands Explorer - on sale in Da Street

Opening Up

This photograph and an account from The Times shows the sort of view that's on offer to passengers on the Stagecoach open-top bus service from Fort William out into the hills and glens. The plans are to extend the experience to routes on Skye and Orkney. The blog has now had references on consecutive days to travel experiences involving getting to and getting out of Skye, with today's on ways of really getting into the scenic countryside as well as the prevalent weather conditions.

Scottish Islands Explorer - intent on coming out again ... next week

On Getting Out

Village Bay (below) is often featured whenever St Kilda is presented. However, the number of people who reach this island is comparatively few. New services are always attempting either to satisfy or to create demand for getting there. Now Integrity Voyages is offering day-trips as well as two- and four-day camping trips there from Uig on Skye. Yesterday's item was about proposals for flights into Skye; today's concerns a way of getting out - to one of the most aspirational destinations in the UK. So it's a full 12 hours for the outward and inward journeys including four hours there. Yet reaching Uig does not involve a ferry crossing from the Mainland. From Skye it could well be plain sailing.

Scottish Islands Explorer - discovering new ways of exploration

FlySkye

The perfectly appropriate word - le mot juste - comes to mind when considering the meanings of airport (all-purpose), airbase (military), airfield (grass-based for amateur use), airstrip (remote, sometimes with island associations) and aerodrome (not having fulfilled all the criteria demanded of an airport). Ashaig at Broadford, on Skye (with its sign above and location below) comes into this last category, but this may soon change.

FlySkye is campaigning for the re-introduction of services to and from Broadford as was operated until 1988. Recent developments are reported on the BBC website. So in 2014 there may be some fine vistas available to passengers as they journey there from different destinations. Flights to and from the north may pass over the Old Man of Storr (below)

and those able to climb above the clouds should be rewarded, as the name of the campaign implies.

Scottish Islands Explorer - keen to reach Skye with elevation and elegance

A Limited Lease of Life

Helliar Holm Lighthouse was built in 1893 and vacated, when it became automatic, in 1967. It is technically on a tidal island off Shapinsay, but it has to be a really low tide before it can be accessed on foot. The Northern Lighthouses Board has recently passed the lease, and responsibilities, to the Orkney Islands Council for reasons outlined in this item from The Orcadian.

There is unlikely to be a new lease of life for the accommodation linked to what is now a navigation light. The account of the recent history of the house, to be found in the Orkney Image Library, is worth reading. It conveys - especially in the Comments section - how the decline in a way of life and the decay of buildings can happen so quickly.

Scottish Islands Explorer - tries to combat decline and decay

Growing on Unst

Two large gardens on Unst, the most northerly of the Shetland Isles, could soon be flourishing. One has already reached that state - the Unst Market Garden, developed by Sarah McBurnie - while the other is set to grow with lottery funding as reported in Shetland News.This community garden for residents in sheltered accommodation at Uyeasound is a pioneering care scheme. The former grows chemical-free produce and supplies residents, local shops and hotels.

Scottish Islands Explorer - enjoys growth in the islands and beyond

Walking from Nowhere

If you have four minutes to spare and want to have at least the illusion of a walk, then go from the Bridge to Nowhere at Tolsta in the Isle of Lewis. You will be taken by YouTube around the north coast of the island to the Port of Ness and onto South Dell.

Alternatively, look more closely at Filiscleitir Chapel, on the cliff edge to the east of Ness, and wonder how congregations were attracted to this desolate spot until the 1930s.

Scottish Islands Explorer - keen to make nowhere become somewhere

Big at Sea

They could be massive, floating in deep-water sites and producing a lot of power. Two sites have been singled out for testing mega wind-turbines and they are both in the Shetland area, off Rova Head and Kebister Ness. The story behind this proposal and the prospects of quadrupling energy supplies from sources of this kind are outlined in Shetland News.

Scottish Islands Explorer - aware of powerful forces at work and play